WO1993022018A1 - Element de jeu de construction - Google Patents

Element de jeu de construction Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993022018A1
WO1993022018A1 PCT/AU1993/000189 AU9300189W WO9322018A1 WO 1993022018 A1 WO1993022018 A1 WO 1993022018A1 AU 9300189 W AU9300189 W AU 9300189W WO 9322018 A1 WO9322018 A1 WO 9322018A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
block
protuberance
toy building
building element
cavity
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1993/000189
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Warren Scott Wilson
Original Assignee
Better Blocks International Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Better Blocks International Limited filed Critical Better Blocks International Limited
Priority to DE69313629T priority Critical patent/DE69313629D1/de
Priority to RU94046177/12A priority patent/RU94046177A/ru
Priority to EP93911675A priority patent/EP0639095B1/fr
Priority to AU42552/93A priority patent/AU656275C/en
Priority to BR9306320A priority patent/BR9306320A/pt
Publication of WO1993022018A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993022018A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
    • A63H33/086—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a toy building element which incorporates a block having semi-circular curved ends and releasable engagement means which allows other like blocks relative rotation about an axis of the engagement means.
  • the prior art of toy building elements, and in particular blocks has many examples of block design which include substantially rectangular blocks with protrusions of cylindrical and other shapes that engage with an interference fit, into complementary cavities, located in the bases of similar blocks. This configuration allows blocks to be placed together in various combinations dependent upon the configuration of the protrusions and cavities used.
  • a block has parallel sides, parallel top and bottom surfaces, cylindrically shaped protuberances projecting from its top surface and cavities for location of similar protuberances in its underside.
  • Each of the blocks has identical configuration of protuberances and cavities and the blocks are capable of being interconnected, bottom to top or vice versa, the protuberances and internal cavities, when the blocks are thus interconnected, releasably engaging one another.
  • the blocks can be disengaged and one or both of the blocks can be rotated about an axis which is normal to the top and bottom of the block and the block can then be re-engaged. This manipulation is possible as a direct result of the configuration of the protuberances and cavities thereon.
  • the Interlego A.G. range of toy building elements is shaped and configured in a multiplicity of ways but the common engagement means is by interference fit of a cylindrical protuberance into a complementary cavity.
  • the present invention provides a toy building block having a protuberance on an outer surface thereof, the protuberance having a ridge which engages a complementary groove in a cavity in another block by resilient deformation, thereby enabling relative rotation and releasable retention.
  • a further problem of the prior art is that curved structures cannot be constructed with the standard block and this need is met by the supply of fixed curvature blocks.
  • a still further object of this invention is to provide a block that is simple to manufacture and simple to use.
  • a toy building element comprises at least one protuberance projecting from an upper surface thereof and at least one downwardly opening cavity on the underside of the element, the or each protuberance having a circumferential ridge, and the or each cavity having an internal circumferential groove, such that, when two like elements are to be joined together the or each protuberance is press-fitted within a respective said cavity with the ridge engaging within an associated said groove to thereby interlock the elements together, with the elements being able to swivel relative to one another about an axis common to both the cavity and the protuberance received therein.
  • each building element has a pair of protuberances and a pair of complementary cavities on opposite faces thereof, for interlocking with similar elements.
  • each element is a hollow block having an open bottom and a closed top wall, the top wall having a generally planar upper surface, two opposed parallel sides and two opposed end walls depending from the periphery of the top wall, wherein the end walls are convexly curved with each protuberance being disposed at approximately the centre of curvature of a respective said curved end wall adjacent thereto.
  • the block elements are injection moulded of resilient plastics material, e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene.
  • adapter blocks can be provided, each of which has on one of its major faces a configuration of either bosses or cavities which are interlockable with the cavities or bosses respectively on existing building elements, its other major face having a configuration of either protuberances or cavities according to the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 shows a top perspective view of a toy building element according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the bottom of a toy building element of Fig. 1;
  • Figs. 3 (a), (b) and (c) show top, bottom and side elevational views of the building element of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partly sectioned, showing a construction example wherein several building elements are interlocked;
  • Fig. 5 is a plan view of the interlocked elements shown in Fig. 4, with the dotted lines showing the positions of rotation of one of the elements;
  • Figs. 6 (a) and (b) are perspective views of a building block according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Figs. 7 (a) and (b) are perspective views of an adapter building block according to another embodiment
  • Figs. 8 (a) and (b) are perspective views of another block according to a further embodiment of the invention.
  • FIGs. 9 (a) and (b) are perspective views of another adapter block for connection to other makes of building block elements of a similar kind.
  • Figs. 1 to 3 there is shown an approximately oval shaped toy building block 10 having a closed planar top end 11, an open bottom end 12, parallel side walls 13 and semi-circular end walls 14.
  • the upper surface of top end 11 has projecting upwardly therefrom, a pair of spaced apart circular hollow bosses or protuberances 15 each having a cylindrical side wall 16 and a flat closed end wall 17.
  • Each of the side walls 16 has a circumferential rib or ridge 18 extending therearound, the ridges 18 being designed to lockingly engage in shallow circular grooves 20, formed on the inside of cylindrical cavities 21, as shown in Fig. 2, of another block 10.
  • the cavities 21 extend inwardly from the open bottom end 12 of the block 10 and are defined by cylindrical walls 22 which are co-axial with corresponding protuberances 15. The diameter of the cavities 21 is marginally greater than the diameter of the protuberances 15.
  • FIGs. 4 and 5 of the drawings several identical blocks 10, 10' are snap-fittingly engaged by pressing same together in the direction indicated by arrows 23 to form two horizontal layers, with a protuberance 15 on block 10 engaging within a cavity 21' on block 10' and its associated ridge 18 engaging within the groove 20' of cavity 21'.
  • the blocks 10, 10' can be rotated relative to one another about axis a-a as shown on Fig. 4, which shows the top block 10' being rotatable with respect to the fixed position of the bottom block 10.
  • Disengagement of the blocks is achieved by reversing the engagement process described above. An audible "click” is evident with each engagement and disengagement procedure.
  • the disengagement of the blocks can be done by means of a suitable tool (or block) having a lug which can be inserted between the engaged blocks through slots 25 formed in the end walls 14 thereof in order to lever the blocks apart.
  • a suitable tool or block having a lug which can be inserted between the engaged blocks through slots 25 formed in the end walls 14 thereof in order to lever the blocks apart.
  • the end walls 14 are convexly curved, in this instance semi-circular, with the protuberances 15 located respectively at the centre of curvature of the curved ends 14, adjacent thereto.
  • the blocks 10 can be interlocked in horizontal layers in which each block in one layer is staggered with respect to the blocks in the adjacent layer, with each block being connected to an horizontally adjacent block through the block(s) immediately vertically adjacent.
  • a building block 30 is circular in plan and comprises a smooth cylindrical wall 31 which extends between the closed top end and open bottom end of the block, the top end having a cylindrical protuberance 32 centrally disposed thereon, whilst the bottom end has extending inwardly therefrom a central cavity 33 defined by cylindrical wall 34.
  • the protuberance or boss 32 has a circumferential rib 35, whilst the wall 34 is provided with an internal groove 36 in which a rib on a protuberance of another block (whether the same or different) can be lockingly engaged when the blocks are press fitted together.
  • the block 30 allows different block construction assemblies to be interconnected, e.g. joining a ring structure to a layered structure.
  • Block 40 has an upper body portion which is identical to that of block 10, whilst its underside is provided with a plurality of cavities 41 which are configured so that the block 40 can be connected to an existing "Lego" block through frictional contact between the cavity walls 42 and the bosses on the top face of the other block.
  • the upper planar face 43 of block 40 has two protuberances 44 each having ridges 45 to enable the block to connect to blocks 10, 30 of the present invention.
  • Block 50 has a lower body portion identical to that of block 10, whilst its upper face is provided with a series of bosses 52 which are configured so that the block 50 can connect to the bottom of an existing "Lego" block.
  • the underside of block 50 has two cavities 53, each having circumferential grooves 54 to enable same to connect to the blocks 10, 30 of the present invention (or to block 40).
  • a block 60 which in many respects is identical to block 30 (Fig. 6), but in addition is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite protuberances 61 and a pair of diametrically opposite cavities 62 spaced around the cylindrical wall 63 of the block 60.
  • the top face of block 60 has a central protuberance 65 with a ridge 66 extending therearound, and the open bottom end has a central cylindrical cavity 67 with groove 68, extending inwardly therefrom.
  • the building element could have a cross shape which maintains the flexibility of rotational displacement, upon engagement, of additional blocks.
  • ridge located on the cylindrical protrusion of the embodiments shown could be substituted with a series of knobs, spherical protrusions or like shapes complementary to the annular groove, such as to allow rotational movement of the building elements upon engagement.
  • toy blocks of the preset invention provide far greater versatility in constructing building structures than can be achieved with prior art toy building elements, in that they enable the construction of curved structures, are simple to use and can be manufactured at low cost.

Landscapes

  • Toys (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un élément de jeu de construction (10) amélioré possédant au moins une saillie (15) sur sa face supérieure (11) plane, la saillie (15) possédant une arête (18) s'étendant circonférentiellement autour d'elle, et au moins une cavité (21) s'ouvrant vers le bas située sous l'élément, chaque cavité (21) ayant une gorge interne circonférentielle, et des parois d'extrémité convexes (14). L'élément est conçu et construit de sorte que lorsque deux éléments identiques doivent être assemblés, la saillie (15) ou chaque saillie s'adapte par pression dans la cavité respective (21), l'arête (18) s'engageant dans la gorge correspondante (21) de manière à maintenir les éléments attachés ensemble; les éléments peuvent alors tourner l'un par rapport à l'autre.
PCT/AU1993/000189 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Element de jeu de construction WO1993022018A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69313629T DE69313629D1 (de) 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Spielzeugbauelement
RU94046177/12A RU94046177A (ru) 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Игрушечный строительный элемент
EP93911675A EP0639095B1 (fr) 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Element de jeu de construction
AU42552/93A AU656275C (en) 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Toy building element
BR9306320A BR9306320A (pt) 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Elemento para construção de brinqueso

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPL2289 1992-05-07
AUPL228992 1992-05-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993022018A1 true WO1993022018A1 (fr) 1993-11-11

Family

ID=3776148

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU1993/000189 WO1993022018A1 (fr) 1992-05-07 1993-05-03 Element de jeu de construction

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0639095B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE157552T1 (fr)
BR (1) BR9306320A (fr)
DE (1) DE69313629D1 (fr)
ES (1) ES2109496T3 (fr)
HU (1) HUT69423A (fr)
RU (1) RU94046177A (fr)
WO (1) WO1993022018A1 (fr)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1996009870A1 (fr) * 1994-09-29 1996-04-04 Lego A/S Jeu de cubes empilables
EP0706705B1 (fr) * 1994-05-02 1998-10-07 Alfred Reinhard Dispositif de stockage de boitiers
EP1149618A3 (fr) * 2000-04-26 2002-05-29 Soren Christian Sorensen Interconnexion séparable pour éléments de jeu de construction
FR2889456A1 (fr) * 2005-08-03 2007-02-09 Philip Norman Jeu de construction
WO2008093028A1 (fr) * 2007-02-01 2008-08-07 Robosynthesis Limited Jeu de construction
WO2012052025A1 (fr) * 2010-10-21 2012-04-26 Lego A/S Ensemble de construction de jouet
WO2012052026A1 (fr) 2010-10-21 2012-04-26 Lego A/S Ensemble de construction de jouet
CN102784485A (zh) * 2011-05-17 2012-11-21 吴子源 积木块
CN102890884A (zh) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-23 吴子源 拼音教具及拼音训练方法
WO2014008666A1 (fr) * 2012-07-13 2014-01-16 邵佳驹 Bouchon de bouteille à fonction d'assemblage
WO2016059367A1 (fr) * 2014-10-15 2016-04-21 Bon Bon Buddies Limited Conteneur de bloc de construction de jouet
RU2598133C1 (ru) * 2015-03-20 2016-09-20 Елена Геннадьевна Баталина Полый игрушечный строительный блок
WO2018027272A1 (fr) 2016-08-12 2018-02-15 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Élément de construction de type jouet
USD903778S1 (en) 2016-07-15 2020-12-01 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Three-dimensional logic puzzle
US11501659B2 (en) 2017-09-05 2022-11-15 Kontu, Inc. Magnetic building set and method for teaching numeracy and spelling
USD977024S1 (en) * 2019-02-06 2023-01-31 Kontu, Inc. Building set design

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD759167S1 (en) 2014-11-17 2016-06-14 Shijun Xiao Adjustable modeling construction piece

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB506204A (en) * 1938-02-21 1939-05-24 Premo Rubber Company Ltd Improvements in and relating to blocks, tiles, bricks and like toy building units
AU1232976A (en) * 1975-03-24 1977-09-29 Ha Folley Toy building element

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2649803A (en) * 1952-06-24 1953-08-25 Internat Molded Plastics Inc Snap-fastener toy blocks
DE2446475B2 (de) * 1974-09-28 1978-05-03 Peter 4006 Erkrath Cioptia Spielzeug-Steckbaustein

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB506204A (en) * 1938-02-21 1939-05-24 Premo Rubber Company Ltd Improvements in and relating to blocks, tiles, bricks and like toy building units
AU1232976A (en) * 1975-03-24 1977-09-29 Ha Folley Toy building element

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0706705B1 (fr) * 1994-05-02 1998-10-07 Alfred Reinhard Dispositif de stockage de boitiers
AU679869B2 (en) * 1994-09-29 1997-07-10 Interlego Ag A stackable block system
US5848927A (en) * 1994-09-29 1998-12-15 Interlego Ag Stackable block system
WO1996009870A1 (fr) * 1994-09-29 1996-04-04 Lego A/S Jeu de cubes empilables
EP1149618A3 (fr) * 2000-04-26 2002-05-29 Soren Christian Sorensen Interconnexion séparable pour éléments de jeu de construction
FR2889456A1 (fr) * 2005-08-03 2007-02-09 Philip Norman Jeu de construction
CN101636208B (zh) * 2007-02-01 2013-03-13 罗博合成有限公司 构造套件
WO2008093028A1 (fr) * 2007-02-01 2008-08-07 Robosynthesis Limited Jeu de construction
US8568187B2 (en) 2007-02-01 2013-10-29 Robosynthesis Limited Construction set
WO2012052025A1 (fr) * 2010-10-21 2012-04-26 Lego A/S Ensemble de construction de jouet
US9901841B2 (en) 2010-10-21 2018-02-27 Lego A/S Toy building set
CN103153418A (zh) * 2010-10-21 2013-06-12 乐高公司 玩具搭建组件
CN103153417A (zh) * 2010-10-21 2013-06-12 乐高公司 玩具搭建组件
WO2012052026A1 (fr) 2010-10-21 2012-04-26 Lego A/S Ensemble de construction de jouet
CN103153418B (zh) * 2010-10-21 2016-03-02 乐高公司 玩具搭建组件
US9573074B2 (en) 2010-10-21 2017-02-21 Lego A/S Toy building set
CN102784485A (zh) * 2011-05-17 2012-11-21 吴子源 积木块
CN102890884A (zh) * 2011-07-20 2013-01-23 吴子源 拼音教具及拼音训练方法
WO2014008666A1 (fr) * 2012-07-13 2014-01-16 邵佳驹 Bouchon de bouteille à fonction d'assemblage
WO2016059367A1 (fr) * 2014-10-15 2016-04-21 Bon Bon Buddies Limited Conteneur de bloc de construction de jouet
RU2598133C1 (ru) * 2015-03-20 2016-09-20 Елена Геннадьевна Баталина Полый игрушечный строительный блок
USD903778S1 (en) 2016-07-15 2020-12-01 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Three-dimensional logic puzzle
US11173386B2 (en) 2016-07-15 2021-11-16 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Three-dimensional logic puzzle
WO2018027272A1 (fr) 2016-08-12 2018-02-15 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Élément de construction de type jouet
EP3496834A4 (fr) * 2016-08-12 2020-06-03 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Élément de construction de type jouet
USD937937S1 (en) 2016-08-12 2021-12-07 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Toy construction element
US11633674B2 (en) 2016-08-12 2023-04-25 Trimiti Moebius Design Pty Ltd Toy construction element
US11501659B2 (en) 2017-09-05 2022-11-15 Kontu, Inc. Magnetic building set and method for teaching numeracy and spelling
USD977024S1 (en) * 2019-02-06 2023-01-31 Kontu, Inc. Building set design

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
HUT69423A (en) 1995-09-28
RU94046177A (ru) 1997-06-20
ATE157552T1 (de) 1997-09-15
EP0639095B1 (fr) 1997-09-03
AU4255293A (en) 1993-11-29
HU9403123D0 (en) 1995-02-28
AU656275B2 (en) 1995-01-27
DE69313629D1 (de) 1997-10-09
ES2109496T3 (es) 1998-01-16
EP0639095A1 (fr) 1995-02-22
BR9306320A (pt) 1998-06-30
EP0639095A4 (fr) 1995-09-20

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0639095B1 (fr) Element de jeu de construction
US5054617A (en) Improvements relating to containers
US6736691B1 (en) Toy building set with interconnection by means of tenons with snap
US5238438A (en) Construction toy and adapter
US4823532A (en) Building element and coupling-pin for interconnecting such elements
US6565406B2 (en) Geometric construction system
US4711595A (en) Dismountable structure
EP0081148B1 (fr) Bouton-pression pour vêtement
JP2667939B2 (ja) 構築玩具装置
US5853314A (en) Toy building block
US4902259A (en) Connectable polygonal construction modules
US4170082A (en) Modular connectors for cylindrical elements
EP0215727B1 (fr) Jouets d'assemblage destinés à lier des objets cylindriques
JP6355807B2 (ja) 連結式キャップ
US4551110A (en) Rotatable cam for use in a toy construction set
US6702642B1 (en) Body for use in a toy set
US3987580A (en) Separably connective flexible toy
US5957744A (en) Construction toys comprising building blocks and single and composite elongated star connectors
US5447249A (en) Interengaging containers
US5372450A (en) Flexible joint connector
JPH06500297A (ja) 差込み式接続を有する小型容器
AU656275C (en) Toy building element
US5908342A (en) Three dimensional connector
WO2008072025A1 (fr) Blocs de jeu de construction
EP0292892B1 (fr) Paire d'éléments s'engageant par emboîtement

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT AU BB BG BR CA CH CZ DE DK ES FI GB HU JP KP KR KZ LK LU MG MN MW NL NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SK UA US VN

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1993911675

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1993911675

Country of ref document: EP

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 1993911675

Country of ref document: EP